What is Italy Known for? 18 Things Italy is Famous For
Ever wondered what is Italy known for exactly? From gastronomical creations like pizza and pasta to ancient Roman landmarks, Italy’s food, legacy and culture have made it one of the most famous nations on the planet.
With its incredible cities and medieval hamlets that lie in landscapes including rolling vineyards, rugged coasts and towering mountain ranges, tours of Italy are highly popular for good reason. Italy is one of the most famous European nations and tops bucket lists the world over.
This spectacular country gave birth to the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, which both shaped the world as we know it today. Historical legacy aside, Italy’s cuisine is found the world-over. Pizza, pasta and wines like Pinot Grigio are staples in just about every nation nowadays.
So, let’s take a look at the most iconic cultural, historical and gastronomical aspects of Italy.
Why Italy is famous
Tasty food, incredible cities, spectacular art… here are just some of the things Italy is famous for.
1. Pizza
Italian cuisine is adored the world-over, but no Italian meal is more iconic than the pizza. While you can order this cheesy comfort food from pop-up stalls, takeaways and restaurants everywhere, there’s nothing quite like digging into the real deal in Italy.
If you really want to taste an authentic pizza, you might want to visit its birthplace – the city of Naples. Since the 18th century, the authentic Neapolitan pizza has contained just three ingredients: dough, mozzarella cheese and San Marzano tomatoes, which grow in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius near Naples.
2. Pasta
Before moving on from the subject of Italian cuisine, we need to give a shout out to another dish that’s made a name for itself all over the world – pasta. You might be familiar with some variations of pasta, but there are over 300 that originate from Italy.
While travelling around Italy, you’ll notice that each region and even restaurant has its own twist on many traditional pasta dishes. If you want to try some of the most famous, order a carbonara in Rome, a Bolognese (ragu in Italian) from Bologna, or a pesto from Genova.
3. Espresso
Need a morning boost after a long slumber? Get your energy the Italian way by downing a shot of espresso with your breakfast.
Espresso is a type of strong black coffee that’s brewed under intense pressure. It’s usually served without milk or sugar in a shot-sized mug. If you’re feeling a little groggy, the caffeine in espresso